Over the last few years, I have become familiar with Frank Viola’s book “Pagan Christianity” and others who have pointed to various liturgical and celebratory practices that are found in Western Christianity as having pagan origins. Although, I understand their views I find these views somewhat suspect and dishonest. Let me explain. Every culture, people group, and nation states have historic memories, heroes, and commemorations which are celebrated yearly. In the English commonwealth, they celebrate the Queen’s birthday. In Ireland, they celebrate St. Patrick’s day. In Australia, they honor those who have sacrificed their lives for their country on Anzac Day. The Chinese New Year, also known as the "Spring Festival in modern China, is an important Chinese festival celebrated at the turn of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. In the USA, we celebrate Memorial Day, The 4th Of July, Labor Day, and Veterans Day. Never once have I ever heard any Christian object to any of these celebrations - calling them pagan holidays. So why on earth do Christians object to having yearly celebrations that mark important moments for us in Christian history? Jewish people celebrate Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah and no one has ever explored if these celebrations were rooted in paganism celebrations. I find it interesting that this past year, protestant christians were thrilled to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of Luther’s reformation and no one in the Roman Catholic or Orthodox tradition objected to it being celebrated as a heretic day. Yet, we have those who basically are anti-traditionalist trying to make a case that Christmas should not be celebrated on the grounds that it's a pagan holiday. I think we need to stop living in ignorance and address the truth behind our Christmas celebrations. The word “Christmas” literally stands for a liturgical “mass” based on God incarnating himself in human form through Christ. (See Phil. 2:5-11)
In The Roman Catholic tradition (which emerged from the orthodox church and is the foundation for ALL protestantism), the custom of celebrating three Masses on Christmas Day goes back to ancient times. The Christians of Jerusalem attended Mass at midnight at the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem; then they returned to Jerusalem and at daybreak (the hour of the Resurrection) attended a second Mass at the Basilica of the Resurrection; later on, they attended the regular services of the day. In Rome, a similar custom prevailed. The midnight Mass was celebrated at the Crib at St. Mary Major; the second, at the imperial church of St. Anastasia; the third, at St. Peter's Basilica. All three Masses are permeated with the thought of the threefold birth of Christ.
First (Midnight) Mass
The eternal generation of the Son by the Father: in the eternal now the Father is begetting the Son: "The Lord hath said to me: 'Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee' "
- The temporal birth of the Son of God: "This day is born to you a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David" (Gosp.). The gracious Babe of Bethlehem is the innocent Victim Who one day will be offered on the Cross for "the sins of the world".
- Birth of Christ in the Soul: Today's Liturgy abounds in references to "light." Christ is the Light of the world, "Light of Light".
The Second Mass at Christmas (at dawn)
The Christmas Liturgy shows forth the Eucharistic Host in the setting of Bethlehem. The tabernacle is truly Bethlehem, the "House of Bread." The Altar is the manger where lies the Infant God, our Emmanuel. Come, let us adore Him.
- Christ is true God: He is the "Wonderful, God, the Prince of Peace, the Father of the world to come, of whose reign there shall be no end".
- Christ is true Man: He is the God-Man. "In that sacred night the undefiled Virginity of blessed Mary brought forth the Savior into this world".
Christ became what we are in order to make us become what He is. The Son of God became Son of Man that the sons of men might become the sons of God. He Who was rich in heavenly glory became poor for our sakes that through His poverty we might become rich. He Who was eternally happy in heaven became the Man of Sorrows that through His tears we might enter into the joy of the Lord.
- Christ is God: He is the brightness of God's glory and the figure of His substance. He upholds all things by the word of His power. All the angels adore Him. His throne is forever and ever. He is unchanging and His years shall not fail. Christ became Man: "A child is born to us, and a Son is given to us". The only begotten of Son Of God is born in the flesh.Christ became Man: "A child is born to us, and a Son is given to us". The only begotten Son of God is born in the flesh.
- Christ came to save us: The Church sings that on "this day a great light hath descended upon the earth". This light shone in the darkness but the darkness did not comprehend it. "As many as received Him to them He gave power to become the sons of God". — Excerpted from Cathedral Daily Missal by Right Rev. Msgr. Rudolph G. Bandas PH.D., AGG., S.T.D., et M.
The first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25th was in 336, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine (he was the first Christian Roman Emperor). A few years later, Pope Julius I officially declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on the 25th December. There are many different traditions and theories as to why Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. Some people also think that December 25th might have also been chosen because the Winter Solstice and the ancient pagan Roman midwinter festivals called 'Saturnalia' and 'Dies Natalis Solis Invicti' took place in December around this date - so it was a time when people already celebrated things and why some people think the date was chosen. However, the Christian origin of our modern celebration is rooted in the Epiphany celebration, or “Three Kings Day,” which is a Christian feast day, (which is still traditionally celebrated on January 6 in the Orthodox tradition) that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ.  |
| Epiphany Day celebrations in Italy |
The word Epiphany is from Koine Greek ἐπιφάνεια, epiphaneia, meaning manifestation or appearance. It is derived from a verb meaning "to appear." In classical Greek it was used of the appearance of dawn, of an enemy in war, but especially of a manifestation of a deity to a worshiper (a theophany). In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ child, and thus Jesus' physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Popular Epiphany customs include Epiphany singing, chalking the door, having one's house blessed, consuming Three Kings Cake, winter swimming, as well as attending church services. In the West the evening preceding Epiphany is called Twelfth Night. The time between December 25 and January 6 is known as the Twelve Days of Christmas. Epiphany is celebrated with special pastries in many countries, and children often receive small gifts in their shoes in honour of the Magi’s gifts to the infant Jesus. The holiday also has had a number of other traditions involving water as a reflection of Jesus’ baptism, including the blessing of houses with holy water. The first reference to an ecclesiastical feast of the Epiphany, in Ammianus Marcellinus (XXI:ii), is in 361. Thus in the Latin church, the feast of Christmas was established before Epiphany. Over time the western churches decided to celebrate Christmas December 25. The eastern churches continued to treat January 6 as the day marking Jesus's birth. This has given rise in the west to the notion of a twelve day festival, starting on December 25, and ending on January 6, called the twelve days of Christmas, although some Christian cultures — especially those of Latin America — extend it to 40 days, ending on Candlemas, or February 2 (known as Candelaria in Spanish).
A few years ago I accepted an invitation to an evening celebration of Hanukkah with American Rabbi Joshua Haberman. During our time together, he shared about the origin of the celebration and how we “Christians” needed to know that Jesus, as a Jewish man celebrated this “feast Of dedication.” In fact, we read in John 10:22-24, the following. “Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jewish leaders surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” So, The Gospels once again demonstrates that Jesus, as a Jewish man, adhered to ALL the yearly feast celebrated in Israel’s faith and practice. Hanukkah means Dedication, and knowing the history of this holiday can lead us to pray wisely in this season of consecration. This eight day Festival of Lights commemorates how God blessed the dedication, faith and actions of a certain priestly family in Israel. Later known as the Maccabees, these Levites were so grieved at their oppressor’s antagonism to the Lord, that they interceded, defied the ungodly norms of their day and reclaimed liberty for the whole country. Below is a summary of the history, oppression and response of the Jewish people that characterize Hanukkah.
The historical backdrop is complex, but instructive. The time in question is 168-165 BCE. The setting is Israel, particularly a town called Modi’in in the Judean hills, just northwest of Jerusalem, and the people of God are suffering under an abominable ruler. After Alexander the Great died in 323 BCE, his empire was divided into four distinct geographical regions, and each region became the kingdom of his four most famous generals. At first Israel fell to the Egyptian region of Alexander's empire, ruled by General Ptolemy and his descendants. Later the Seleucid dynasty, based in Syria, captured Israel, and a series of their rulers named Antiochus governed the region. Antiochus IV is the villain in the story of Hanukkah.
After Alexander the Great’s far-reaching conquests, the dominant culture in the eastern Mediterranean had been Hellenism, or Greek culture, including all its idolatry and immorality. Some in Israel assimilated into this culture; yet many wanted to remain true to the God of Israel. The Seleucid rulers didn't make such faithfulness easy. Ultimately, Antiochus IV so repressed godly activity in Israel that he took over the Temple in Jerusalem and dedicated it to Zeus. This wicked ruler ended the Mosaic sacrifices and instead offered up pigs on the altar. Antiochus IV entered the Holy of Holies in the Temple and arrogantly proclaimed himself 'god in the flesh,’ giving himself the title Antiochus Epiphanes, literally "Antiochus, God Manifest."
One priestly Jewish family revolted. Instead of obeying the Seleucid leaders’ orders to officiate in the midst of such idolatry, the father of this clan killed the soldier who commanded him to so violate his biblical convictions. His sons, known as the Maccabees, then went on to lead a three-year guerrilla war, which culminated in Israel driving out the Seleucid forces, reclaiming Jerusalem and re-consecrating the Temple to God.
And here's the miracle of Hanukkah. In consecrating the Temple after their victory, the Levites found they had only one jar of the pure oil required to keep burning the flames of the Menorah, the seven-branched candelabra whose light should never go out. In other words, all the Maccabees had was a one-day supply of oil, and it would take another seven days to make more. These Levites lit the Menorah anyway. Affirming their efforts, God miraculously made that one-day supply last eight days. So in the Jewish tradition the lighting the candles is to celebrate eight days of rededication – Hanukkah.
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| Rabbi Haberman lighting the Menorah |
Rabbi Haberman shared with us that it was during this celebration of lights that Jesus was conceived. He went on to explain to us that the very celebration of Christmas was based on the Feast Of Dedication. When I heard this it all came together for me that for the Christian, Christmas should be exactly what our historic Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant traditions (rooted in Second Temple Judaism) have always emphasized “Christmas” is the Body Of Christ’s yearly celebration of the first advent Of Christ. It has always been a part of the faith and practice of the church for centuries and has no foundation in paganism whatsoever. For those who insist that our yearly celebrations have their foundations in paganism - may I ask how and what ways would you suggest that we celebrate who Jesus is, what he came to do, and what kind of church services or calendar would you design to mark His work among us? Maybe after explaining this to us you could also begin by challenging all the National celebrations, first nations activities, and festive celebrations like birthdays we take to remember our heros and categorize it within pagan practices also so we can spend more time at work and forget about important values like faith, family and showing honor to others. Christmas is no more a pagan holiday than Hanukkah itself or any other feast celebrated outlined in Leviticus 23 that spoke about the person and work of our savior Jesus. Now He is something worth celebrating about! May you have a Merry Christmas and A Blessed New Year.
